USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 54
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He was married in Henderson Co., Ill., Dec. 28, 1871, to Miss Mary A. Hutchinson, and their only child is named Clyde.
F. Lowther, of Kirkwood, was born in Columbus, Ohio, April 14, 1826. His father, Thompson F , and his mother, Sarah Lowther (nee Black), were natives of Penn- sylvania. They were married and came to Illinois in 1835, locating in Schuyler County, where they resided until 1841. During the latter year he came to Warren County and settled in Hale Township, where he purchased 96 acres of land on which he lived, following his vocation until April, 1869. At that date he purchased a house and lot in Kirkwood, and in company with J. H. Gilmore engaged in the grocery business, which he continued for about ten years. About three years prior to his death he retired from active business, his death oc- curring in 1885, and that of his wife in 1876 ..
The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this notice, lived with his parents until he was 23 years old, having received a fair education in the common schools. After leaving home Mr. Lowther purchased 80 acres of land in Hale Township, on which he resided for one and a half years, when he
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sold it and removed to Lenox Township, and there purchased another 80 acre tract, and for two years was engaged in its cultivation. He then returned to Hale Township, and lived until 1869, when he came to Kirkwood and purchased property, since which time he has continued to reside there.
The marriage of Mr. Lowther took place July 19, 1849, at which time' Miss Julia A. M. Robinson, a native of Virginia, became his wife. There were seven children of this union, all dead, but they ,took an orphan boy, J. H. Sterling, at the age of 18 months, whom they reared to manhood, and since he has attained his majority have assisted him in ob- taining a foothold, whereby he may acquire in this busy world of strife a competency.
Politically, Mr. Lowther affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also been a member of the Town Board in Kirkwood.
ohn T. Reichard, the leading dry-goods merchant at Monmouth, was born in Wash- ington Co. Md., Nov. 1, 1842. His parents, Daniel and Maria (Brewer) Reichard, natives respectively of the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and dating their ancestry back to Germany, reared six sons, and they were all brought up to the occupation of the father, farming, but, judging from the memorandum before us, while they inherited any quantity of industry and native ability, the love of labor in the fields was one charac- teristic the old gentleman failed to transmit. Two of the sons became prominent physicians, one a druggist and three dealers in merchandise.
The father removed to Warren County, in 1863, and located on a farm in Coldbrook Township, where he lived and labored until his death, in 1866, aged 55 years. His widow survived him until 1873, when she died in Monmouth, at the age of 63 years.
John T. Reichard was educated in Maryland, and was at Hagerstown College when his patriotism over- came his desire for classics, and August 1, 1862, saw him " right dress " as a private in Co. A, 7th Mary- land Vol. Infantry. There is no reason in the world to believe that he asked for the change, but the writer
knows a great many reasons why he should have been very glad of the transfer from the ranks to clerk in the Quartermaster's department. He had been out only about two months when this occurred, and the fact that he was retained in the position until the close of the war, proves that he was as efficient as clerk as it is known he would have been as a soldier.
Leaving the service at Baltimore, Md., he came at once to Monmouth and engaged in farming with his father, and at the death of the latter administered upon the estate and closed it up. In February, 1868, he embarked in mercantile business, and the story of his success was told us by his rivals. Mr. Reichard is a man who would succeed in anything, except that of being ungentlemanly. This no sort of training could induct him into.
When the Monmouth National Bank changed hands, in 18-, Mr. Reichard became one of its Di- rectors, and subsequently Vice-President, a position he filled up to January 1, 1885. He is largely inter- ested in agriculture and stock-breeding, and has been for some years President of the Warren County Agricultural Society. He is a popular Mason, and member of the largest Consistory in the world, that of the Oriental, of Chicago. July 15, 1875, Mr. Reichard was married at Newcastle. Ind., to Miss Jeane Elliott, daughter of Hon. J. T. Elliott, late Judge of the Supreme Court of Indiana, and his children are named Lillian, George, Marie and Elliott.
iram Baldwin, proprietor of the Baldwin House and one of the pioneers of Mon- mouth, was born in Chester Co., Pa., Dec. 9, 1808. His parents, Wathel and Catherine (Barr) Baldwin, were married, reared their six sons and four daughters, and died in Chester County. Hiram Baldwin was brought up on his fa- ther's farm and fairly educated at the subscription schools.
March 28, 1832, he was married in his native county to Miss Mariah Mackey, a native of Lancas- ter Co., Pa., and of Irish and Dutch parentage. Their two sons, James W. and George W., were born in Lancaster County, the first in 1833 and the latter in 1835. They are both connected with the man-
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agement and direction of the hotel and have been for many years. The Baldwins originally came from England, probably in 1645, and settled in Massa- .chusetts The Barrs came from Germany, in 1683, and settled at Germantown, Pa.
The family came to Monmouth in the spring of 1840, and here Mr. B. began the manufacture of wagons and plows, and followed it about 15 years. In 1846 he moved upon the spot now, and since 1855, known as the Baldwin Hotel. It was origin- ally a two-story, 20 room building; in 1876 it was remodeled and converted into a three-story, 40 room house. Mr. B. learned the trade of carriage maker in Lancaster Co., Pa. He farmed some since com- ing to Illinois, but for 20 years has devoted his time to hotel business. His house, for many years the best in Monmouth, was for many years the rendez- vous of the famous Lincoln and his friends. The room the great man occupied is now No. 17, and contains the furniture he so often used. Mr. Doug- lass, when at Monmouth, stopped at the old Warren House, when not with his friend, Hon. J. W. David- son. Mr. B. is a member of no church; has never sought office, but the history of Warren County must in truth print his name upon its pages as one of the best men the county has ever claimed as a citizen.
kenry H. Pattee, secretary and treasurer of the Pattee Plow Company, of Monmouth, was born at Canaan, Grafton Co., N. H., April 17, 1840, and was the youngest son living of Daniel and Judith (Burleigh) Pattee, natives of New Hampshire, and descended from the French. The senior Mr. Pattee was by occupation a farmer, and brought his four sons up to that voca- tion, though none of them followed it any great length of time. The father and mother both died in New Hampshire, he in 1875, aged 76 years, and she in 1883, aged 83 years.
Henry H. Pattee was educated at the common schools of his native State, and after learning the art of telegraphy repaired to Canada, in 1862, as man- ager of the Vermont and Boston Telegraph Co. He left Canada in 1866, and came to Galesburg, Ill.,
where for three years he was engaged in milling busi- ness. In 1869 he came to Monmouth, and in com- pany with his brother ran the Star Flouring Mill four years. In 1873, he engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. (See Pattee Plow Com- pany.) The stock company was organized in 1881, and Mr. Pattee has since been its secretary and treas- urer.
He was first married at Canaan, N. H., in 1867. His wife, nee Miss Lizzie R. Morgan, daughter of Dr. Arnold Morgan, now deceased, died in her na- tive town (Canaan) in 1879.
Aug. 25, 1881, Mr. Pattee married Miss Anna E. Willets, daughter of the late Hon. Elias Willets. (See biography of Judge Willets, this volume.)
ohn W. Matthews, State's attorney for Warren County, resident at Monmouth, is a son of the late Rev. Robert C. and Louisa Matilda (Martin) Matthews, and was born at Macon, Noxubee Co., Miss., July 7, 1848. (See biography of Rev. Robert Matthews, D.D., this - volume.) John W. Matthews was educated at Monmouth College, graduated and in the class of 1871, with the degree of A.B. Immediately after leaving college he began reading law with John J. Glenn, and two years later in the office of Hard- ing, McCoy & Pratt, Chicago. He was admitted to the Bar at Ottawa, in September, 1874, and returned to Monmouth, where he became the junior member of the firm of Glenn & Matthews, for a year, . which then became the firm of Glenn, Kirkpatrick & Mat- thews. At the end of one 'year Mr. M. withdrew from the firm, and was one year alone in practice, and having satisfied himself that he was able to hold his own at the Warren County forum, he formed, in 1880, the existing partnership, Matthews & Peacock, Mr. T. G. Peacock being a talented young attorney, and the junior member of the firm.
In the fall of 1880, Mr. Matthews was elected State's Attorney, which office he filled with such sat- isfaction to the people, that four years later they placed him again at the helm as a pilot of the pleas of the commonwealth.
May 30, 1864, he made up his mind that the re-
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bellion had gone on long enough, so offered his coun- try his service as a " backbone breaker" and high private in Co. A, 138th Ill. Vol. Inf., for the term of 100 days. Serving out his term in the 138th, he was discharged Oct. 14, 1864, at Springfield, Ill., and on the 18th of February following enrolled as a musi- cian in Co. H, 47th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until August 17, 1865. With the 47th he penetrated well into "Dixie," and his experience in that country will be remembered by him for many a long year. He left the service to accept a scholarship at Annapolis Naval Academy, but ill health forced him to aban- don it.
He was married at Monmouth, in 1876, to Miss Mary G. Stevens, a native of New York, and his son is named Robert C. A daughter, Anna Louisa, died in infancy.
Mr. Matthews is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the A. O. U. W. and I. O. O. F.
A. Carmichael, banker and merchant at Kirkwood. Among the early pioneers who came into Warren County in 1836, were Arthur P. Carmichael and Jane Henderson, both natives of South Carolina. Two years after their arrival they were united in marriage, which was a prominent event among the pioneers of that day. The newly married couple " settled down" in Warren County, but shortly afterward moved into Henry County, where they lived for 15 years. They at present reside at Red Oak, Iowa. The elder Carmichael was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, but since 1877 has been a grain dealer. They had a family of six children-C. A. being their eldest, who was born in 1840 while his parents were living in .Henderson Count .. When he was a young man of 2 1 years of age, the late war had just broken out, and with his brave heart and love for his country he enlisted in Co. F, 17th Ill. Vol. Infantry, and for three years and three months did valiant service in behalf of the Union. He was twice wounded, but slightly, however. His first bat- tle was at Frederickstown, Mo; then he was at the terrible conflict at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth,
Vicksburg, and many of the other desperate engage- ments of the war. He held the position of Sergeant and at the end of a long service was honorably dis- charged.
After the war had closed and Mr. C. had returned home, he found a situation as clerk in a mercantile house at St. Louis. Here he remained only one year, however, when he came to Kirkwood and se- cured a position as clerk for Carr & Beers. At the end of a year they sold out to A. P. Brown, with whom he remained for a year and a half. He then engaged with Chapin, Houlton & Davis, with whom he remained for 15 years. At the end of this long service, in 1882, he bought an interest in the firm, since which time the firm name has been Chapin, Houlton & Co. He is an enterprising, pushing business man, and has long held the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, of which denomination he is a Trustee. He is also a member of the Village Council, and of the Masonic Lodge, and of the G. A. R., in fact is an active worker in everything which has for its tendency the building up of the commu- nity and doing good.
Mr. Carmichael was married to Miss Jennie, the daughter of Nelson and Sarah J. Carr, of Kirkwood, both natives of New York, Jan. 21, 1869. Nellie, their only child, was born Dec. 17, 1869.
ilton C. Robison, general farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 6, Cold. Brook Township, was born in Kelly Township, this county, on section 32, Oct. 25, 1835. His father, Andrew Robison, a farmer by occupation, and a native of North Carolina, came thence to Ohio, where he was mar- ried to Miss Nancy Stitt, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Kentucky, and of Irish parent- age. She came to Ohio when a young woman. In that State three children were born to them : Isa- bella, Mary and Robert G., the latter being the only survivor. They afterward settled in Warren Co., Ind., and while residing there three more children
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were added to their family : John, Martha and Wil- liam, the latter now deceased.
In the year 1829, the family came to Illinois, and settled in Warren County, while it was unsettled, and there the father secured a tract of wild land. His demise occurred in Cold Brook Township, where the son, our subject, now resides The mother died at the same place in 1875.
Of the three children born in Illinois, our subject, Milton C. L., was the youngest, and also youngest of a family of nine children. He resided at home until he reached his majority, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm, and alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools, at which he acquired a fair English educa- tion. When he reached man's estate his father died, and he began farming on his own account.
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The marriage of Mr. Milton C. L. Robison and Miss Drusilla Hennen was celebrated on the 22d of February, 1860, in Monmouth Township, the latter being a native of Ohio. She came to Illinois with her parents when a young woman, and they engaged in agricultural pursuits to a small extent. · Mrs. Rob- ison died at her home in this township, March 1, 1861, after having borne to her husband one child, Drusilla, who lived only 17 days, and whose death occurred the same day as that of the mother.
Mr. Robison is the possessor of 122 acres of im- proved land, on which he now resides ; in his- chosen vocation, agriculture, he has met with decided suc- cess.„,-
In politics, he is a stanch Democrat. '
en. Abner C. Harding, deceased, was born at East Hampton, Conn., Feb. 10, 1807. He removed with his parents to Plainfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1815, and soon after that date he engaged in working at a carding machine, but did not continue at that long. He began teaching at 15 years of age. The educa- tion of Mr. Harding was acquired at the schools of Hamilton, N. Y.
In 1821 young Harding enlisted as midshipman in the United States Navy, but was rejected for want
of proper stature. The next year, in 1832, he en- gaged in peddling tin ware and also taught school. In 1823 he followed the vocation of a drover and was also engaged in teaching school. In 1834-5 his occupation was that of a school teacher. In 1826-7 he read law at Bridgewater, N. Y., and the following year, 1828, removed to Pennsylvania, and was ad- mitted to the Bar, at Lewisburg, that State. Jan. 30, 1829, Mr. Harding was united in marriage with Mrs. Rebecca L. Byers, nee Leibricks, who died at Bloom- field, Pa., in 1833, leaving two children-George F., born in 1830, and Mary R., born in 1833. The for- mer lives in Chicago, and the latter is the wife of George Snyder, a resident of Monmouth. In 1835 Mr. Harding was elected to the Constitutional Con- vention of Pennsylvania. Also, during that year, he formed a second matrimonial alliance, at Bloomfield, that place, with Miss Susan A. Ickes, a native of Perry Co., Pa., where she was born, July 28, 1815. Their marriage took place June 30. During the year 1837 Mr Harding served in the Constitutional Conven- tion of Pennsylvania, where he became acquainted with. Thad. Stevens, and in 1837 followed his profes- sion; the law. Miss Ickes, to whom Mr. Harding was married, was a daughter of Dr. Jonas Ickes, who at present resides with Mrs. Harding, near Mon- mouth. He was born in Montgomery Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1793, and is therefore, at this writing (November, 1885), nearly 93 years of age. He has lived in Illi- nois since . 1856. His wife, nee Mary Duncan, to whom he was married in. Perry Co.,.Pa., June 24, 1814, bore him four sons and five daughters, and lived to be 76 years of age, departing this life in July, 1868.
In. June, 1838, Gen. Harding removed to Mon- mouth and at once engaged in the practice of his profession. He was a good lawyer and a better bus- iness man. He became interested in politics, acting with the Whigs in all matters of interest in his county and State. In 1847-48 and '49, Gen. Hard- ing continued to follow the practice of his profession at Monmouth. During this time he also became in- terested in railroading and built and supervised the building of the road running between Peoria and Burlington, now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1848 he was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention; was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1848-49 and '50. In 1851, while Gen. Harding was actively engaged in railroad
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matters, his eyesight began to fail him, and from that time he ceased to practice law. From 1852 to 1860, he spent a portion of his time traveling for his health and when not engaged in traveling he was occupied in railroad matters.
In 1851, Gen. Harding, in partnership with Chan- cy Hardin and Judge Ivory Quinby, under the style of C. Hardin & Co., engaged in the construction of what was then known as the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad. Gen. Harding having procured the char- ter some time previous to the above date, the right of way was procured by the above named gentlemen and they changed somewhat the original route and built the road from Burlington to Knoxville and from the latter place it was to be continued by Kelly, Moss & Co. The latter firm proved unable to com- plete the road, and Gen. Harding bought out their contract and completed the same in 1856, and for a short time the road was operated by the above com- pany, they subsequently selling the same to the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company.
Gen. Harding enlisted as private of the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., in 1862. He was elected Colonel, and mustered into service Aug. 21, of that year. As in civil life, so he was in war, bound to rise. In short, he was one of the few men born to command. On March 23, 1863, he was promoted to Brigadier Gen- eral of volunteers. Another writer has said that this promotion was a reward for his gallant conduct in de- fending Fort Donelson so successfully after it fell into Federal hands, and against an attack of the Confederate Generals, Wheeler, Forrest and Whar- · ton, with a. command of over 8,000, while Harding had only 800. For the truth of history, it might be well to say that Gen. Harding was at that time al- ready in the line of promotion, though his conduct on the occasion mentioned may have hastened his . commission. The true history of that, to Harding, most important engagement shows that on Feb. 3, 1863, a portion of Gen. Forrest's command, under Gen. Wheeler, left Palmyra and advanced on Fort Donelson, then garrisoned by Col. Harding. in com- mand of some nine companies of the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., a battalion of the Fifth Iowa Cav., and Flood's Battery, consisting of four rifled guns and one 32 pounder siege gun, mounted on a pivot on the north- west corner of the fort. Gen. Harding, learning that the enemy was approaching, telegraphed to Colonel Lowe, at Fort Henry, asking for reinforcements.
That officer sent word back for Harding to send out scouts and learn the exact course of the rebels, which was done. Lowe could send no aid, but tel- egraphed the gun-boats, then pushing up the river, that Donelson was in a tight place, and at the same time telegraphed to Col. Harding to "hold the place at all hazards until dark, when help would arrive. " At 2 o'clock p. m., the fort was attacked from the eastward, and an effort made to carry the works. The ammunition of the garrison was low, but it was. skillfully and economically handled. Col. Harding was everywhere encouraging his men. Wherever the fight was most severe or the danger most immi- nent, there he -was, swowd in hånd, advising and commanding his men. Night came on, the enemy had surrounded the three sides of the fort, and Gen. Wheeler under a flag of truce demanded a surrender of the garrison or to take the consequences. Gen. Harding sent back word that they "would take the consequences." The fight was renewed; a second de- mand to surrender made, and again refused. It was 8 o'clock, and Capt. Fitch's fleet astounded the enemy with well directed broadsides from his several gun- boats, and in 20 minutes not a healthy rebel was in sight. Col. Harding had obeyed orders unnecessary to be given. With the information that help was assured any time within a week, Harding would have held the fort against all such generalship as that manifested by Wheeler in that attack. Why a General, with a super- ior force would hang around a small garrison 6 hours, and in just such position as to have 250 of his men killed, 600 wounded and ro5 taken prisoner, might be explained by Wheeler, but by no one else. Col. Harding lost 13 killed, 51 wounded and 20 taken prisoners. It was certainly a successful defense.
In 1864 Gen. Harding was elected as the candi- date of the Republican party to represent his dis- trict in the United States Congress, and served in the 39th and 40th Congresses, being re-elected in 1866. While in Congress, Gen. Harding served on the Committees on Manufactories and Militia in the 39th, and on the Committees on Union Prisoners' Claims and Militia in the 40th Congress. While in Congress, he secured the charter, in his own name, to build the railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa. The ownership of the charter proved to be very valuable property, which he after- ward sold to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, who built the bridge.
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In 1869 the health of Gen. Harding began to fail, and in May, 1871, he went to Europe, where he re- mained until the October following, when he again returned to his home at Monmouth. Here he contin- ued to reside an invalid during the years 1872-3, and July 19, 1874, at nine oclock p. m., he passed away. The foundation of Gen. Harding's fortune may be said to have been laid in his judicious in- vestment in real estate and the consequent rise of the same in value. As a lawyer he ranked high, es- pecially in the branch pertaining to the laws relating to titles and real estate. As a pleader, his papers were prepared with consummate skill, resulting from a broad and comprehensive knowledge and applica- tion of the law bearing on the case in hand. As an advocate, he was a clear, terse and powerful reas- oner, and frequently very eloquent. He participated during his extended practice in some of the most im- portant cause celebra which have shed lustre upon the jurisprudence of Illinois.
He began life a poor boy, but as an accumulator of wealth he certainly proved the greatest success known to Warren County. He died leaving a very large fortune, As a gentleman, worthy to be recog- nized in this work as one of the leading citizens of Warren County, in the_days that are past and gone, we take pleasure in being enabled to present to the reader a true likeness of one of the County's self- made, respected and honored citizens.
evi Maley, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of 1837, in the township of Sumner. He was born March 22, 1822, in Ritchie Co., West Virginia. His father, William Maley, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Aug. 1, 1780. The family is of Irish origin, the father of Mr. Maley last named having been born in that country, whence he came to America about the time of the War of the Revolution. He entered the Colonial military service, and after his enrollment, while on his way to join his command, in company with the organization to which he belonged, was surprised by a detachment of British dragoons, taken prisoner and confined for some time on board a prison ship, in the
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